The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-16
California Business Men Ask that 1t Be Sus-
pended, as Its Operation Threatens De-
struction of Several Lines of Business
The Chicago Freight Bureau Takes An
other and Entirely Different View.
The Commission Loaded Down with Petitions,
but the One Vital Point To Be Decided Is
in Reference TO the Fourth Section.
A VAIL FROM THE SLOPE.

NAStINGiOS, <April lo.-in ne loiowlug teIe-
grams have been received by the Interst ate COM
merce Commission from San Francisco: "Al
the productive and monetary relations of this
coast are threatened with disorder and much
loss, and nothing but quick and wise action on
your part can coast from tremendous
losses to follow illiberal or narrow interpre-
tatiou Of the fourth section of the interstate BILL
We ask suspension of the long haul clause,
temporarily, at least, until position can be
placed before your honorable body" This bears
the signatures OF eight principal banking insti
tutions of San Francisco. "A rigid enforce
ment of the fourth clause Of the interstate com
merce law" says another telegram, will work
irreparable ruin to our vineyards, fruits and
salmon interests, will divert the shipments of
teas from China and Japan to the Suez canal
route and the coffees of Central America to Eu-
rope, and blight and destroy industries of this
coast which have involved lifetime of labor
and saving to build. That which was intended
by Congress boon to the people will prove
an irreparable calamity to the Pacific slope un-
less early relief is granted We earnestly crave
a prompt and liberal Interpretation of the fourth
section of the bill. protecting US from impending
disaster otherwise inevitable"
'.At special meeting of all parties interested
in our wool trade, representing dealers. commits
sion merchants and wool growers. were ap-
pointed a committee to petition your honorable
Cody to suspend the operation of Sec. of the
interstatecommerce bill in the importation
of wool by rail from this State to Boston. New
York, Philadelphia and other through shipping
points The established rate of 8. 20 cents per
per pound is excessive and prohibits shipments
overland The wool production of this State
amounts to 40. 00o. coo pounds per year, and the
difference between the old and new rates of
freight involves loss Of million dollars
annually to the growers. The higher rates
mean no higher prices to the consumer, but
lower net results TO the grower; because the
prices of the Eastern markets based upon
the necessity under of sending our woods
there, whether we pay high or low freight. Wa
cannot realize average of more than 20 cents
per pound for woods. The expenses based
upon the present charges for freight. not in
cluding local charges, amount to
cents per pound. leaving less than Il cents
net TO .the wool-grower The average yield
of wool per sheep is about seven pounds per
year. say II cents per pound tor the WOO gives
the grower 9S cents per head annually for tho
proiuct of his sheep. The expense OF maintain
ing our hocks amounts to about seventy five
cents per head and if we add the local charges
IN handing the wool here there would be Moth
ing left. You readily see therefore that
cannot afford to paw 3. Il cents per pound
to market our wool. 1t is the opinion Of your
petitioners that, If these rates continued. the
existence of this industry on this coast will be
annihiated. The suspension of Section in
favor Of our wool would be a benefit rather than
an injury to this industry in other States.
Owing to our mild climate We shear early in the
spring, and our wool, by rail- reaches the East
in May and June. when the market is bare of
wool. and we dispose of it before other wools
ready for market. But if we compelled
to ship by water, at the end of the voyage Of
four months. it would come in competition with
the woods from all other portions of the country,
and any deficiency IN the early market would be
supplied by foreign importations, when We
% hn 80 nx1txv th4
demand. The wool interest of this
State is very large and important, and
more particularly affected at present by the op-
erations of the new law than any other branch
| of business. The spring clip is now ready for
shipment and it is necessary that it should get
| to Eastern markets in advance of the Western
| and Territory woods, which cannot do by
| water transportation. We think. in justice TO
| this industry, that the overland transportation
companies should be allowed to make such COM
peting rates with water routes as will enable the
| wool-growers to avail themselves of rapid trans
| portatlon across the continent without submit
| ting to the rulnous rates now established, which
! can only result to the advantage of the trans
| portation companies and to the great injury OF
| the producer, without any benefit to the con-
| sumer. The railroad rates now charged are more
| than six times the rate of last year, more than
| four times the present rates by water,
and nearly double those charged by the
| Canadian Pacific The route via Cape Horn,
while the charges are reasonable. involves loss
| of four months large amount of interest on
| the money invested. and would necessltate an
| entire change of business relations long estab
tablished in handling wool between here
! and Eastern points. Before the passage of
| the interstate-comrnerce law 90 per cent. of our
/ wool went overland. We handled, also, large
| portion Of the wool from the adjoining States
| and Territories which would gladly come here
| now, but cannot, owing to the excessive railroad
| freight charges and If we are compelled TO ship
| via Cape Horn we lose the advantage of the
| early Eastern market account of the long
| vir ~ hal
porter at the ex pense of the domestic producer.
| We DO not believe that it was the intention of
Congress. passing this law, to so seriously
| cripple ii istry, after enactlng, from time
to time, e tariff protection, which is Off
set by the Wy freight charges which we are
called upon to pay under the operations of the
act and We cannot believe our eoyernment
| wishes to force the transportation OF our wool
| through foreign countries to secure lower rates
| of transportation than our roilroads are allowed
| to charge, when said roads ready ana willing
to give satisfactory rates If only allowed to
do so. 1t is clearly to the interest OF our people
that the labor and capital of our country should
| GET the benefit of the money which we would
have to pay to foreign corporations tor freight
| charges, which would amount to very large
| sum. If unable to secure connecting
| rates from OF own railroads. only relief is
| the suspense of Section as far as the same
| applies to wo, nd pelts, and we earnestly and
| urgently petit your honorable body for its
immediate sus, ynsion. 10 enable US to market
our woods at once. which are rapidly accumulat-
! ing"
This is signed by the chairman and members
of the committee.
The commission has also received ny mail the
petition of the American Sugar Refining Com
pauy, of San Francisco. 1t sets forth that the
immediate effect of the fourth section, unless
modified will be to entirely destroy the bust
ness of distributing the products or our manu-
factory in the States OF the Mississippi valley.
The company has over one million dollars in
vested in machinery and material devoted to the
manufacture OK refined sugar, and has large
contracts for future business. involving many
million dollars based upon facilities and oppor
tunities offered by the overland roads. The en-
| forcement of the law will destroy its trade
The railroads willing TO continue old rates
and petitioners ask that they be permitted to d.
so.
Fourteen sugar refining establishments o
New York and Philadelphia unite in a letter 4
the commission. They understand that the Pa
cifc railroads about make application Z
be relieved from the operation of Section 4. BE
fore their request Is granted the refners ask al
opportunity 70 be heard in opposition. 1T
alleged" they say, 'that the Pacific railroad
have been carrying sugar at SO per ton from
| San Francisco to Missouri river points. Will